Sports briefs for Oct. 24, 2013

Klitschko to run for Ukrainian presidency

Heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko announced Thursday that he is running for president of Ukraine in 2015.

He announced his intentions in a speech in front of the Ukrainian parliament.

Klitschko, 42, is the leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms party, which he helped found in 2010. He currently serves on the Kiev city council and won a seat in the 450-member parliament a year ago.

His venture in major national politics could end his boxing career. Klitschko has said he may retire from boxing to fully dedicate himself to politics. His last fight was a victory over Manuel Charr in Moscow in September 2012. The fight was stopped in the fourth round because of a cut.

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Klitschko (45-2, 41 KOs) was scheduled to fight Bermane Stiverne (23-1, 20 KOs) this fall, but the fight was cancelled after Klitschko said he had right hand injury.

Patriots’ Ryan fined, apologetic for crotch grab

New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan was fined $10,000 for grabbing his crotch while crossing the goal line in Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets.

Ryan was crossing the goal line after the 79-yard interception return. He jumped into the air with his back to end zone and made the gesture with his left hand while landing on his back to complete the pick-6.

“First off, I just want to apologize to all the fans and all the viewers that witnessed that,” said Ryan, a rookie playing in place of Aqib Talib. “I own up to it 100 percent. It’s not acceptable. It’s not acceptable for me and this team. And I want to put it behind me and I want to move on and focus on Miami. Just let people know it won’t happen again and that’s not who I am.”

Prost ventures into electric racing

Four-times Formula One world champion Alain Prost will be involved with a team competing in the new electric Formula E series due to start next year, organisers announced on Thursday.

They said in a statement that the Frenchman, who made a failed attempt to run his own team in Formula One from 1997 to 2001, had linked up with compatriot Jean-Paul Driot to enter a new e.Dams team.

Five teams have now been signed up from a planned field of 10 to race in city centres around the world starting in Beijing in September.

“Being able to actively participate in the development of this new technology, which is 100 percent electric, is extremely motivating,” said Prost.

Packers’ Finley released from hospital

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley was released from a hospital and returned to his Green Bay home, ESPN reported Thursday.

Finley was hospitalized, initially in intensive care, since Sunday after sustaining a spinal contusion in his neck. The injury caused temporary numbness in his extremities after taking a hit during the Packers’ 31-13 win over the Cleveland Browns.

He may follow up by seeing additional doctors as has shared images of his MRIs, CT scans and other tests with other neurosurgeons and spinal injury specialists.